Chapter 165 Through a Love Letter
The rippling waves reflect the magnificent scenery of Yuexi Mansion.
Qiu Bi was arranging trivial matters in the mansion as usual, and unintentionally revealed a bit of absent-mindedness.
Ning Yunxi saw what she was thinking and showed concern.
"what happened?"
"Master Lin hasn't even proposed marriage yet, but you're taking the initiative to bring up the matter of an engagement?"
"Why be so dejected? If he is really shy, just take the initiative once."
"I think between husband and wife, there is no need to be bound by these conventional etiquettes. It doesn't matter who takes the initiative."
Qiu Bi stopped what she was doing and sobbed twice with a look of frustration on her face.
"But my lord, he has someone else he loves. How can I take the initiative?"
Ning Yunxi was slightly startled.
"Someone else you love?"
"Who is it?"
"In my previous life, I never heard that he had another love. Could it be that he didn't tell me because he was afraid of breaking his promise?"
Qiu Bi stared into the distance with a dull look.
"Oh, it's the delicate Lord Feng from the South Courtyard."
Ning Yunxi's eyes were calm and she pursed her lips and smiled.
"It turns out to be her."
"In your previous life, you didn't return home, and she had always been a concubine of the Gao family. She was appointed as the Minister of Secret Affairs and was loyal to the emperor."
"Later, she had some conflicts of interest with Prince Chen, and I devised a plan to eliminate the trouble forever. At that time, I didn't even know my brother."
"So Lord Lin was fond of her before?"
"That's strange. After Lord Feng died, he never mentioned it. Later, he didn't fight with me because of it. But Lord Gao always had a grudge against me."
"Are you sure he has feelings for Lord Feng?"
"Why can't I see it?"
Qiu Bi nodded with a feeling of grievance.
"Why are you not sure? I saw it clearly."
"I didn't say a word. Maybe I was too sad to show it."
"In my previous life, in Lord Lin's eyes, I might have been just a substitute. I heard from my cousin that Lord Feng also loves Haitang."
"So, in his previous life, he risked his life not for his subordinates, but for Feng Yihe!"
Having said this, I finally couldn't hold back my tears.
"But I'm already emotional, what should I do?"
"Looking at their affectionate expressions, I can totally imagine how they once were childhood sweethearts."
"I am almost dying of jealousy..."
Ning Yunxi quickly stood up, walked a few steps closer, and patted her on the back to comfort her.
"Don't be so anxious to cry."
"I'll give you an idea that will definitely solve your urgent problem."
Qiu Bi stopped crying and asked.
"What's the idea?"
Thinking about Zhuang Wei's feelings for Qiu Bi, Ning Yunxi had an idea.
"As long as you are busy, you will naturally have no energy to think about their affairs."
"It just so happens that I have something important that you must do."
As he spoke, he walked to the desk, picked up a pen, wrote a love letter, placed it in an exquisite brocade box, and handed it to Qiu Bi.
"The strategy of repairing the plank road in the open and crossing Chencang in secret cannot be achieved without the cooperation of my uncle."
"But the emperor has clearly stated that no one from the Zhuang Mansion is allowed to have any contact with me."
"These past few days, I have been troubled by the difficulty in delivering the message. After much thought, it is most appropriate for you to deliver it to the Zhuang Mansion."
Qiu Bi blinked in confusion.
"Didn't you send someone to deliver the message before?"
"Have you forgotten so quickly, Princess?"
Ning Yunxi talked nonsense in a serious manner.
"The message was intercepted, but fortunately, it was not leaked."
"Alas, he is unreliable after all, so I have to trouble you to send him off."
"The brocade box is small and exquisite, and it is obviously a woman's item. My plan is to pretend that this is a love letter. Even if you don't hide from others and give it to your eldest cousin in the street, no one will suspect that it is a message."
"But remember, you must act shy and don't let yourself get caught."
Qiu Bi took the brocade box with both hands.
"Yes."
"Does it have to be handed over to Master Zhuang?"
"If he's not here, can I hand him over to someone else in the Zhuang Mansion?"
Ning Yunxi pretended to think about it and shook her head.
"It can only be handed over to Zhuang Wei."
"Uncle, aunt, and third cousin, we are not in a position to accept your love letter casually."
"My second cousin is fine, but he's a little unkempt, and I'm afraid he won't be able to act well."
"It's even worse to hand it over to a servant. If there is an informant, the consequences will be disastrous."
"If your eldest cousin is not here, you can wait for a while. This way, you will appear sincere and will not arouse suspicion."
Qiu Bi nodded obediently and agreed.
"Yes."
"I understand. I'll deliver it right away."
After completing the ceremony of taking her leave, Qiu Bi got on the carriage and headed for the manor.
At this time, Lin Mu came out of the Imperial Hospital and left the palace to return home. From a distance, he recognized her carriage and judged the direction it was heading to, which seemed to be the Earl Hongshun's residence.
Lin Mu got on the carriage and told the coachman: "Don't rush back home, go to Yuanlai Tower first."
Yuanlailou is a restaurant located not far opposite the Zhuang Mansion.
The groom was not a close confidant of Lin Mu, so he naturally made excuses and did not reveal his true intentions.
Soon, the carriage stopped near the main entrance of Yuanlai Building.
Qiu Bi arrived earlier and was already waiting at the door of the Zhuang Mansion.
Lin Mu told the coachman to leave, walked up to Yuanlai Tower alone, chose a suitable room, sat down quietly, and looked at Qiu Bi.
After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Zhuang Wei's carriage slowly came from the direction of Tongshitai.
Qiu Bi smiled happily and went to meet him.
"Wei Lang!"
Zhuang Wei was stunned for a moment and froze in place.
But when he saw Qiu Bi pointing at the brocade box with her fingertips, he realized that it was his cousin's.
She lowered her eyes and smiled shyly, thinking to herself at the same time.
Unexpectedly, by chance, her cousin asked her to pretend to deliver a love letter in order to convey a message.
After that, can I still use this incident as an excuse to ask her out for dinner?
Could it be that my cousin is trying to bring us together?
My cousin is so nice. She saw what I was thinking and tried her best to help me.
I will never let down such a kind intention.
But... why do I remember that she was engaged to the imperial physician Lord Lin?
Maybe my cousin used some trick to cancel it? How thoughtful.
After thinking about it, he naturally raised a sweet smile.
"Bi'er, why are you here?"
Qiu Bihua's face was pure and shy, and she handed over the brocade box with both hands.
"I hope you will accept my kind words."
Zhuang Wei did not take the brocade box immediately. Instead, he hurriedly fumbled around his waist and finally took out a jade pendant. After taking the brocade box, he handed it to her.
"This is my mother's heirloom jade pendant, which I am giving to you."
"I hope you won't give up on me."
Qiu Bi was stunned.
Can jade pendants also convey messages?
Lord Zhuang wouldn't take it seriously, right?
Thinking about what the princess had said and not wanting to reveal her true identity, she reluctantly accepted it.
"Thank you, Weilang."
As he spoke, he couldn't resist his curiosity and began to examine the jade pendant.
It's all in sight, nothing can be hidden.
Forget it, he understood everything after reading the letter.
As for the jade pendant, just give it to the princess and return it to him.
After thinking about it, Qiu Bi bowed slightly.
"Too shy, I'll go first."
Zhuang Wei nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I'll see you another day."
After Qiu Bi left, Lin Mu came over.
"Master Zhuang, how are you?"
"I just happened to be passing by, and I'm a little thirsty. Could you please buy me a cup of tea and come into the mansion to chat?"
Zhuang Wei was puzzled at first, but then responded politely.
"Since Lord Lin has condescended to visit my humble residence, I shall prepare a drink for you."